Registering and holding device for multicolor printing



Aug. 13, 1940. F. SHURLEY 2,211,175

REGISTERING AND HOLDING DEVICE FOR MULTICOLOR PRINTING Filed July 13, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR.

Wade aha Ska :2 BY

ATTORNEY.

F. SHURLEY Aug. 13, 1940.

REGISTERING AND HOLDING DEVICE FOR MULTICOLOR PRINTING Filed July 13, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Wade r207! SYmWle I 7 ATTORNEY.

Aug. 13, 1940. F. \SHURLEY 2,211,175

REGISTERING AND HOLDING DEVICE. FOR MULTICOLOR PRINTING Filed July 15, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. FZeJezz'aZ SAW 29 Aug, 13, 1940. F. SHURLEY 2,211,175 REGISTERING AND HOLDING DEVICE FOR MULTICOLOR PRINTING Filed July 13, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 13, 1-940 REGISTERING AND HOLDING DEVICE FOR MULTICOLOR PRINTING Frederick Shurley, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Guthrie Ceramic Labelling & Machinery 00., Inc., Dover, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application July 13, 1938, Serial No. 219,014

19 Claims. (01. 192-142) This invention relates to improvements in registering and holding devices for multicolor printing, and is particularly adapted for use with the multicolor printing machinesfully described in my United States Patents No. 2,060,385 and No. 2,085,126; though the device may be attached to, and form' a part of, any type of printing machine, press. stenciiling machine or equipment whereby it is intended to print in two or more colors on a cylindrical article, such as a can, bottle, bulb, tumbler or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a registering and holding device for cylindrical articles for multicolor printing by which the articles are rotated until they assume a predetermined position, are positively and instantaneously gripped and held against further rotationas soon as that position is reached and until the articles have been moved substantially to their printing position, and by which the articles are then released sothat they are free to turn in contact with the printing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a registering device consisting in part of a phototube and a light source between which each article in turn is rotated, and to so arrange the electric circuit and cooperating parts that the rotation of each article is positively and instantaneously halted as soon as a transparent portion of the article passes between the phototube and the light source'after a non-transparentportion of the said article has passed between them. In other words the circuit is so arrangedthat it is only closed when a light signal of increasing intensity is received by the phototube.

A further object of the invention is to provide a registering and holding device wherein a plurality of radially disposed chucks having magnetic braking mechanisms are mounted upon a carrier, a plurality of segmental contacts arranged in pairs and spaced around the periphery of the carrier each pair connected to one magnetic braking mechanism, and stationary brushes in the circuit actuated by the registering mechanism which bear in turn against the pairs of segmental contacts as the carrier rotates. Moreover the segmental contacts are so arranged and connected to the braking mechanisms that each mechanism is in the circuit when its chuck and the article held thereby are in registering position and remain in the circuit until the carrier is turned to bring the article substantially into its printing position.

Having thus briefly and broadly outlined some of the major objects and advantages of the invention, I will now proceed to describe a preferred embodiment thereof with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a view on the line l-l of Figure 2 wherein only portions of the opposed carriers and only one chuck on each carrier are shown.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial side view showing the carrier which is equipped with the chucks having the electric braking mechanisms.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram.

As this invention is confined to a registering and holding device for use on multicolor printing machines, and since opposed carriers having radially disposed chucks arranged in opposedpairs and intermittently rotated by a Geneva movement have been fully shown and described in my United States Patents No. 2,660,385 and No. 2,085,126 above referred to, I now, for the sake of clarity and :brevity, omit all mention of the other cooperating parts of the printing machines as described in the aforesaid patents and confine myself entirely to the construction and operation of the parts which together form the subject matter of the instant invention.

Referring to the drawings, l designates a shaft mounted for intermittent rotation between frames Zportions of which are indicated in the several views. Fixed upon the shaft I aretwo opposed carriers 3 and 4. Radially arranged upon the carrier 3 and axially slidable therein are a plurality of inwardly disposed chucks 5 around each of which a helical spring 6 is arranged to urge its chuck inwardly into engagement with one extremity of a cylindrical article such as the bottle A. Any known means may be provided for moving these chucks axially outward to disengage the bottle at certain predetermined rotary positions of the carrier.

Mounted upon the carrier 4 are a plurality of chucks I each of which is positioned opposite one of the chucks 5, and coacting with each chuck 1 is a magnetic braking mechanism 8. I

.will now describe one of the chucks 1 and-its coacting braking mechanism.

Supported in the carrier 4 is a ball bearing 9 having a spindle l0 extending therethrough and supported thereby. ll denotes a flange integral with the spindle l0 which bears against the outer face of the inner race of the said bearing. The outer extremity of the spindle I0 is supported in a second ball bearing l2 mounted in a suitable bracket |3 provided upon the outer face of the carrier 4. The spindle l0 also projects inwardly from the bearing 9 and is externally threaded at l4 to receive the outer extremity of a sleeve l5 in threaded engagement. Formed around the sleeve |5 intermediately of its length is a circular bearing face I6, and supported upon its inner face is a circular plate l1. Extending centrally through the latter is a screw |8 which is in threaded engagement with the inner extremity of the spindle l8 which is axially bored and threaded to receive it. l9 denotes a dowel holding the plate I! immovable upon the inner extremity of the sleeve l5, and 28 is a pad secured upon the inner face of the plate II to protect the extremity of the bottle A which bears against it from breakage.

In order to engage the annular extremities of the bottles A, or other cylindrical articles, of slightly varying diameters a ring 2| is mounted for axial movement on the bearing face l6 of the sleeve l5 and projects inwardly somewhat beyond the plate II. Formed integral with the ring 2| intermediately of its length adjacent and outwardly from the plate I! is an annular disc 22, and extending through the plate and disc and in threaded engagement with the sleeve l5 are screws 23 around each of which a helical spring 24 is provided between the said disc and sleeve. These springs tend to retain the ring 2| in its inward position but are materially weaker than the springs 6 around the chucks 5. A further purpose of the screws 23 is to retain the plate I! in position against the inner extremity of the sleeve IS. The bore of .the inner extremity of the ring 2| is outwardly tapered towards its extremity. Consequently if the diameter of the adjacent annular extremity of the bottle A is of somewhat greater diameter than usual the ring 2| is forced outwardly against the tension of the springs 24. The helical springs 6 around the chucks 5 satisfactorily take care of any slight variation in the length of the bottles A.

Suitably mounted for rotation upon one of the frames 2 is a. shaft 25 which is continuously rotated by any suitable means such as a sprocket and chain indicated at 26 and 27 respectively. Fixed on the shaft 25 is a friction roller 2511 which engages the periphery of the ring 2| and rotates the chuck and bottle A when the shaft I has been turned to bring that chuck into position to contact the said roller. The bottle A is freely rotatable with the chuck 1 since the opposite chuck 5 by which the opposite extremity of the bottle is supported is also freely rotatable in its carrier 3.

Supported in the carrier 4 centrally around the spindle l9 and outwardly from the chuck 1 is a stationary electro-magnet 29 consisting in the present instance of a core 30 having a circular winding 3|. Mounted upon the outer face of the magnet 29 is an annular non-magnetic disc or bearing element 32. In engagement with a threaded portion ||la of the spindle I8 is a nut 33 having an inwardly projecting annular shank 34 of reduced diameter. Secured around the shoulder 33a formed upon the extremity of the nut 33 adjacent the shank 34 is an annular spring member 35. Around the shank 34 and spaced therefrom is a circular brake plate 36 made of magnetic material and provided upon its face adjacent the disc 32 with brake lining 31, which, in the present instance is annularly arranged. Adiacent its periphery the spring member is secured to the outer face of the brake plate or member 36. 38 denotes a. lock nut upon the spindle l8 and between it and the nut 33 a lock washer 39 is provided. When the magnet 29 is energized in a manner hereinafter described the brake plate 36 and its lining 31 are drawn axially into intimate contact with the stationary disc 32, thereby instantly arresting the rotation of the spindle l0 andthe chuck l. The inward pressure exerted upon the chuck 5 by the spring 6 holds that chuck, the bottle A and the chuck I as a unit, so that when rotation of the latter chuck is halted the work A and the chuck 5 also stop. The annular spring member 35 is normally flat but when the brake plate 36 is drawn towards the magnet 29 the outer face of the member assumes a substantially convex form. Due however to the resilience of this member it re-assumes its normal fiat form immediately the circuit is broken and the current ceases to flow through the magnet 29. When this occurs the brake plate 36 which is attached to the spring member 35 is returned to its normal position spaced from the disc 32.

The carrier 4 is provided around its periphery with a groove 49 in which spaced parallel segmental contacts 4| and Na are mounted in opposed pairs. Each contact 4| and 4|a is carried in a suitable insulating sheathing 42 leaving its outer arcuate face exposed, and 43 denotes wedge members inserted between the sheathings to hold the outer sides of the latter against the sides of the groove and thereby clamp the contacts in position The wedge members 43 are supported in position as by screws 44. The segmental contacts 4| and Ma are spaced from one another by dead segments 45 from which the adjacent extremities of the said segmental contacts are insulated as by strips 46 of insulation material. Extending from each pair of segmental contacts 4| and 4|a are two leads 41 and 41a respectively which are connected to opposite ends of the winding 3| of one of the electro-magnets 29. Two brushes 48 and 49a, one to wipe each segmental contact, are mounted in a suitable holder 49 which is supported from one of the frames 2 as by an arm 49a.

59 denotes a bearing which is held stationary around the shaft by a strap 5| connected at its outer extremity to a rod 5|a extending from one of the frames 2. Secured upon the bearing 50 is a phototube 52, and mounted upon a suitable support 53 extending from one of the frames 2 is a light source 54 which is suitably positioned opposite the said phototube so that each bottle A, when in registering position, is interposed between them. At that time of course the bottle A and its chuck l are so positioned that the latter is in contact with the friction roller 25a.

I will now describe the preferred circuit by which the phototube 52 closes the circuit and energizes one of the magnets 29 only after light of increasing intensity is thrown upon the plate of the phototube. The circuit is substantially the same as that commonly employed in connection with phototubes and consists in the usual arrangement of an amplifying tube 55, a Thyratron relay tube 56, a voltage regulator tube 51, potentiometers 58 and 59, and resistances 60, 6|, 62, 63, 64 and 65. The wires 66 and 61 are constantly connected to the brushes 48 and 48a respectively. However between the amplifier tube and the Thyratron tube 56 a condenser 68 is provided so that the grid potential of the latter tube can only be increased and the circuit closed through the wires 66 and 61 upon' the reception of light of increasing intensity on the plate of the phototube 52. Obviously this can only occur after the light from the light source has first been dimmed or obstructed by the interposition of a non-transparent or only slightly transparent portion of the bottle A between the light source and the phototube. Consequently the circult is closed and one of the magnets 29 energized immediately the light encounters a transparent portion of the bottle and after having first been dimmed or obscured by a non-transparent portion. The dead segments 45 are so arranged that a circuit cannot be 'closed through any of the magnets 29 during rotation of the carrier 4 when no bottle is positioned between the light source and the phototube. If, however, this should occur no impulse would be received from the phototube 52 because the passage of a bottle into the range of the phototube would merely have a light dimming effect. A further dimming effect would result from the passage of a non-transparent portion of the bottle into range, and the light would only be intensified after the non-transparent portion passed and a transparent portion of the bottle came into range.

The length of the segmental contact 4| and 4| a is such that the circuit is broken just prior to the arrival of the chucks I at their top positions where they again remain momentarily stationary due to the intermittent operation of the shaft I. This is done in order to permit the magnets 29 to become demagnetized and to allow the spring member 35 to return the brake plate 36 to its normal clearance position prior to the arrival of the bottle beneath the printing means which is indicated at 10 as the bottle has to roll in contact with the latter during its printing operation.

While in the foregoing the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and shown, it is understood that the construction herein set forth is subject to such alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

.1. A registering device for multicolor printing comprising a chuck mounted for rotation to support a cylindrical article to be printed, a brake member mounted for rotation with the chuck, an electro-magnet adjacent the brake member, a fixed bearing element between the magnet and member, a phototube relay circuit, said magnet being in said circuit, and a light source between which and the phototube the article is interposed, the circuit being adapted to be closed by light from the source passing through the article to the phototube thereby energizing the magnet and drawing the brake member into contact with the bearing element and halting the chuck rotation.

2. A registering device for multicolor printing comprising a rotary chuck adapted to support one extremity of a cylindrical article to be printed, a brake member mounted for rotation with the chuck, an electromagnet adjacent thereto, a fixed bearing element between the member and the magnet, a ring extending forwardly around the chuck and having its bore outwardly tapered at one extremity to receive one annular extremity of the article, and spring pressed means supporting said ring for axial movement towards the article relative to the chuck, in combination with concentric means for supporting the opposite extremity of the article, and

means for energizing the magnetto halt rotation of the chuck.

3. In a registering and holding device formulticolor printing, the combination of a circular carrier mounted for intermittent rotation, a plurality of segmental contacts insulated from one another around the carrier, a plurality of laterally disposed chucks mounted for rotation upon the carrier, means contacted by each chuck in turn as the carrier revolves tending to rotate the chuck which it contacts, an electro-magnet positioned on the carrier adjacent each chuck, a brake member adjacent each magnet mounted for,rotation with each chuck, a fixed bearing element between each magnet and its adjacent braking member, means in an; electric circuit wiping the segmental contacts as the carrier turns, and electrical means connecting the contacts with the magnets whereby each magnet in turn is adapted to be energized as the carrier rotates, said magnets being adapted to draw the adjacent brake member into contact with the bearing elements to halt rotation of the chucks, said chucks being adapted to be held immovable until the circuits make by the segmental contacts and the wiping means are broken.

4. In a registering and holding device for multicolor printing, the combination set forth in claim 3, wherein ranged in spaced pairs, the wiping means consist of a brush for each contact of any one pair, and the electrical connecting means consists of two wires one from. each contact of each pair to each magnet.

5. In a registering and holding device for multicolor printing, the combination set forth in claim 3, wherein a dead segment is interposed the segmental contacts are arcircularly between each two segmental contacts circularly adjacent to one another to reduce the rotary travel of the carrier through which the circuits are closed.

6. In a registering and holding device for multicolor printing, the combination of a carrier mounted for intermittent rotation, a plurality of chucks mounted for rotation upon the carrier each adapted to support a cylindrical article to be printed, segmental contacts on the carrier, electro-magnets mounted on the carrier and electrically connected to the segmental contacts, one magnet adjacent each chuck, a. brake member mounted for rotation with each chuck and adjacent each magnet, a fixed bearing element between each member and its magnet, a phototube relay circuit, and a light source between which and the phototube each article in turn is interposed, and wiping means for the segmental contacts in said circuit, the latter being adapted to be closed by the passage of light through the article from the light source to the phototube to energize one of the magnets.

7. In a registering and holding device for multicolor printing, the combination set forth in claim 6 wherein each magnet is in axial alignment with its associated brake member and bearing element, and the brake members are mounted for limited independent axial movement.

8. In a registering and holding device for multicolor printing, the combination set forth in mlttent rotation a plurality of opposed chucks mounted for rotation on said carriers, each opposed pair of chucks being adapted to support a cylindrical article for printing. a friction roller adapted to contact each chuck on one carrier in 'turn. to rotate it as the carrier is revolved, segmental contacts on said one carrier, an electrically operated braking mechanism associated with each chuck on the last named carrier, means connecting said segments electrically with said brake mechanisms, a phototube relay circuit, wiping means for the sagmental contacts in said circuit, and a light source between which and the phototube each article in turn is interposed when its chuck is in contact with the friction roller, the passage of light from the source through the article to the phototube being adapted to close the circuit to operate the braking mechanism associated with the chuck in contact with the roller and hold that chuck and the article supported thereby immovable.

10. A registering device for multicolor print-' ing comprising a rotary chuck adapted to engage work to be printed, a brake member mounted for rotation with the chuck, an eleotro-magnet adjacent said member, a fixed bearing element adjacent said member, an electric circuit including the magnet, and a phototube and a light source between which the work is introduced, said phototube being adapted to close the circuit when light of increasing intensity reaches it through the work from the source, thereby energizing the magnet and bringing the braking member and fixed element into intimate contact to hold the chuck immovable.

11. In a registering and holding device for multicolor printing, the combination of a carrier mounted for intermittent rotation, a plurality of laterally disposed chucks mounted for rotation on the carrier, each chuck being adapted to engage work to be printed, an electro-magnet on the carrier adjacent each chuck, a braking member adjacent each magnet and mounted for rotation with the adjacent chuck, a fixed bearing element adjacent each braking member, means for rotating each chuck when it reaches a predetermined position, means making an electric circuit including one magnet when its adjacent chuck reaches said predetermined position, a phototube and a light source between which the work is interposed when its chuck is in said predetermined position, said phototube being adapted to close the circuit when light of increasing intensity reaches it through the work from said source thereby energizing the magnet and bringing the adjacent braking member and bearing element into intimate contact to stop the rotation of the adjacent chuck.

12. A registering device for multicolor printing comprising a rotary chuck adapted to support substantially transparent work for rotation upon which at least one imprint has been made, friction means tending to rotate the chuck and work, a relay circuit including a light sensitive device, a light source positioned to shine upon the device through the work whereby increasing light shining therethrough upon the device is adapted to close the relay circuit, an electric braking mechanism associated with said chuck to arrest its rotation, and an electric circuit including said brake mechanism adapted. to be closed when the relay circuit is energized.

13. A registering device for multicolor printing comprising a rotary chuck adapted to support a bottle, a relay circuit including a phototube, a

light source between which and the phototube the bottle is supported whereby light of greater intensity shining through the bottle energizes the phototube and closes the relay circuit, a friction drive for rotating the chuck, and electrically operated brake mechanism associated with the chuck adapted to be actuated bythe closing of the relay circuit to arrest rotation of the chuck.

14. A registering device for multicolor printing comprising a chuck mounted for rotation and adapted to support an article to be printed, electrically actuated brake mechanism operatively positioned with reference to said chuck and adaptedwhen energized to halt rotation thereof, a phototube relay circuit including said brake mechanism, and a light source between which and the phototube the article is interposed, said relay circuit being adapted to be energized by light from the source passing through the article to the phototube whereby the brake is operated to halt rotation of the chuck.

15. In a registering and holding device for multicolor printing, the combination of a carrier mounted for intermittent rotation, a plurality of chucks mounted for rotation on the carrier, each chuck being adapted to engage work to be printed, electrically actuated brake mechanism supported by the carrier in operative relation to each chuck, means for rotating each chuck when it reaches a predetermined stop position, a normally open electric circuit including said brake mechanism, means for closing said circuit when each chuck reaches said predetermined position, and a light source and light sensitive means operatively positioned with reference to the work engaged by the chuck at said predetermined position operable to energize said circuit in accordance with the intensity of light transmitted by said work to thereby actuate the brake mechanism and halt rotation of the chuck.

16. In a registering and holding device for multicolor printing, the combination of a carrier mounted for intermittent rotation, a plurality of chucks mounted for rotation on the carrier, each chuck being adapted to engage work to be printed, electrically actuated brake mechanism supported by the carrier in operative relation to each chuck, means for rotating each chuck when it reaches a predetermined stop position, a normally open electric circuit including said brake mechanism, means for closing said circuit when each chuck reaches said predetermined position, and a light source and light sensitive means operatively positioned with reference to the work engaged by the chuck at said predetermined position operable to energize said circuit in accordance with the intensity of light transmitted by said work to thereby actuate the brake mechanism and halt rotation of the chuck, said circuit closing and energizing means being constructed and arranged to produce continued braking action on said chuck during a portion of said carriers succeeding intermittent rotation.

17. In a registering and holding device for multicolor printing, the combination of a carrier mounted for intermittent rotation. a plurality of chucks mounted for rotation on the carrier, each chuck being adapted to engage work to be printed, electrically actuated brake mechanism supported by the carrier in operative relation to each chuck, means for rotating each chuck when it reaches a predetermined stop position, a normally open electric circuit including said brake mechanism, means for closing said circuit when each'chuck reaches said predetermined position, a light source and light sensitive means operatively positioned with reference to the work engaged by the chuck at said predetermined position operable to energize said circuit in accordance with the intensity of light transmitted by said work to thereby actuate the brake mechanism and halt rotation of the chuck, said circuit closing and energizing means being constructed and arranged to produce continued braking action on said chuck during a portion of said carriers succeeding intermittent rotation, and means for opening said circuit before said carrier reaches its next successive stop position.

18. In a registering and holding device for multicolor printing, the combination of a carrier mounted for intermittent rotation. a plurality of chucks mounted for rotation on the carrier, each chuck being adapted to engage work to be printed, electrically actuated brake mechanism supported by the carrier in operative relation to each chuck, means for rotating each chuck when it reaches a predetermined stop position, a normally open electric circuit including said brake mechanism, means for closing said circuit when each chuck reaches said predetermined position, a light source and light sensitive means operatively positioned with reference to the work engaged by the chuck at said predetermined position operable to energize said circuit in accordance with the intensity of light transmitted by said work to thereby actuate the brake mechanism and halt rotation of the chuck, said circuit closing and energizing means being constructed and arranged to produce continued braking action on said chuck during a portion of said carrier's succeeding intermittent rotation, means for opening said circuit before said carrier reaches its next successive stop position, and printing mechanism operatively positioned with reference to said chuck at a succeeding stop position of said carrier whereby said chuck is free to rotate when the work supported by said chuck is engaged by the printing mechanism.

19. In a registering and holding device for multicolor printing, the combination of a carrier mounted for intermittent rotation, a plurality of chucks mounted for rotation on the carrier, each chuck being adapted to engage work to be printed, electrically actuated brake mechanisms supported by the carrier adjacent each chuck, means for rotating each chuck when it reaches a predetermined stop position, a normally open electric circuit including each brake mechanism, means for closing the circuit of one brake when its associated chuck reaches said predetermined position, and a light source and light sensitive means operatively positioned with reference to the work engaged by the chuck at said predetermined position operable to energize said circuit in accordance with the intensity of light transmitted by said work to thereby actuatesaid one brake and halt rotation of the chuck.

FREDERICK SHURLEY. 

